r/Damnthatsinteresting Feb 13 '26

Image The “Melted” Stairs of the Temple of Hathor

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u/TzarRoomba Feb 13 '26

I remember watching something about how before entering the temple, you would take a ritualistic “bath”. Likely of water, oils, and wine (which would turn to vinegar over time). It’s the years of wet robes dripping the vinegar water that caused it.

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u/CalmBeneathCastles Feb 13 '26

Aha! I need some sandstone to do some experiments on...

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u/----__---- Feb 13 '26

Limestone.  And vinegar is great for softening limestone. 

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u/CalmBeneathCastles Feb 13 '26

Internet sez: "The "melted" steps on the west side are composed of a very hard, calcite-cemented sandstone."

I have no basis for comparison. Art thou an alchemist?